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Juvenile criminal justice: measures and penalties
Verified 31 October 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Can a minor be subject to a judicial measure or a sentence? A minor may be prosecuted and convicted. The measures and penalties applicable to him are determined according to his age and personal situation. Because he is under the age of 18, the age of criminal majority, his responsibility is reduced compared to that of an adult. If he is under the age of 13, he is not liable to any penalty. We present you the information to know.
What applies to you ?
Before 13 years
In principle, the law provides that a minor under the age of 13 is not able to understand the consequences of his actions. We're talking about presumption of indiscretion.
Thus, the minor is not held responsible for the offense that he committed. So he's not going to be prosecuted.
If the minor is capable of discernment, he may be prosecuted and punished.
In any case, a provisional judicial educational measure may be imposed on him.
FYI
The minor may not be the subject of a safety measure.
In order to assess a minor's capacity for discernment, it is necessary to ensure that he is aware of having committed an offense and that he is able to grasp the meaning of the criminal proceedings concerning him.
The capacity of the minor to discern may be established in particular by his statements, those of his family and school entourage, by the elements of the investigation, the circumstances in which the acts were committed, by an expert opinion or a psychiatric or psychological examination.
A provisional judicial educational measure (MEJP) may be imposed on the minor at any stage of the proceedings before the imposition of the penalty.
The MEJP consists of an individualized support of the juvenile delinquent. This measure enables the minor to be monitored by establishing an educational framework adapted to his or her personal situation.
If the judge orders this measure, one or more of these modules may be imposed on the minor:
- Insertion module, which translates into an orientation of the minor towards school care or aimed at his social inclusion or professional (for example, the minor may be placed in a boarding school)
- Repair module, which may consist of an activity to assist the victim or the business or a mediation between the juvenile offender and the victim. This module lasts 1 year maximum.
- Health module, which may include placement of the minor in a health facility (other than a psychiatric service) or health care adapted to his needs
- Placement module, which consists of entrusting the child to a family member, a trustworthy person (for example, a close family friend), a youth judicial protection institution or a private educational institution. The placement is pronounced for 1 year, renewable several times.
The minor may also be subject to several obligations and prohibitions set by the judge:
- Prohibition to appear in the place where the offense has been committed (for a maximum of 1 year)
- Prohibition of contact with an accomplice or a victim (for a maximum period of 1 year)
- Prohibition to come and go on public roads without being accompanied by one of its legal representatives, except for the exercise of a professional activity, for the follow-up of education or training or for serious medical or administrative reasons. This measure cannot last more than 6 months.
- Obligation to report to the services, associations or authorities designated by the children's judge, the investigating judge or the judge of liberty and detention. This obligation is valid for a maximum period of 6 months.
In general, the MEJP is exercised until the judgment of the minor or on the guilt if it was ordered at the time of the deferral, or on the penalty if it was ordered during the period of educational testing.
As part of a statement, the MEJP is pronounced for a renewable period of 1 year.
No sentence may be imposed on a minor under the age of 13.
On the other hand, the minor may be subject to judicial warning and one judicial educational measure.
What is the judicial warning against a minor?
When the judge issues a judicial warning against a minor, he explains the offense what he committed, the seriousness of his behavior and the consequences if he starts again.
FYI
The judicial warning can be combined with a judicial educational measure which includes a repair module.
What is the judicial educational measure against a minor?
The judicial educational measure consists of individualized support for the juvenile delinquent, based on his personal, family, health and social situation. It allows the protection of the minor, his assistance, his education, his inserting and access to care.
If the judge orders this measure, the minor may be subject to one or more of the following modules:
- Insertion module, which refers the minor to school care or to social, school or professional integration (for example, the minor may be placed in a school boarding school)
- A reparation module, which may consist in assisting the victim or the business or in mediation between the juvenile offender and the victim. This module lasts 1 year maximum.
- Health module, which may include placement of the minor in a health facility (other than a psychiatric service) or health care adapted to his needs
- Placement module, which consists of entrusting the child to a family member, a trustworthy person (for example, a close family friend), a youth judicial protection institution or a private educational institution. The placement normally lasts 1 year, but it can be renewed several times.
If he's over 10, the minor may also be subject to several obligations and prohibitions set by the judge (for example, prohibition of contact with an accomplice or a victim, prohibition of use of the account of a online platform from which the offense has been committed).
The duration of the judicial educational measure shall be determined by the juvenile judge and may not exceed 5 years. It ends at the latest at the age of 21.
Between 13 and 16 years
From the age of 13, the minor may be found responsible for the offense that he committed. He could therefore be prosecuted before the juvenile judge or the juvenile court and be the subject of educational measures or sentenced to a penalty.
Please note
The judge must take measures and/or impose a sentence that ensure a fair balance between education and punishment.
Before being brought before a judge or a court that will determine his sanction, the minor may be subject to security measures.
Such measures restricting freedom shall be put in place to fulfill one of the following objectives:
- Avoid the commission of a new infringement
- Prevent the minor from coming into contact with accomplices or victims
- Enable the proper conduct of the investigation or the statement
- Protect the minor himself
- Ensure that the minor will be present at the time of his judgment.
These safety measures may be accompanied by provisional judicial educational measure (MEJP).
The MEJP consists of an individualized support of the juvenile delinquent. This measure enables the minor to be monitored by establishing an educational framework adapted to his or her personal situation.
If the judge pronounces this measure, the minor must perform one or more of the following modules:
- Insert Module
- Repair Module
- Health module. This may include placement of the minor in a health facility (other than a psychiatric ward) or health care tailored to the minor's needs
- Placement Module.
The minor may also be subject to several obligations and prohibitions set by the judge:
- Prohibition to appear in the place where the offense has been committed (for a maximum of 1 year)
- Prohibition of contact with an accomplice or a victim (for a maximum period of 1 year)
- Prohibition to come and go on public roads without being accompanied by one of its legal representatives, except for the exercise of a professional activity, for the follow-up of education or training or for serious medical or administrative reasons. This measure cannot last more than 6 months.
- Obligation to report to the services, associations or authorities designated by the children's judge, the juvenile court, the investigating judge or the judge of liberty and detention. This obligation is valid for a maximum of 6 months.
The MEJP may be pronounced at any stage of the procedure before the imposition of the penalty.
In general, this measure is exercised until the judgment of the minor or on the guilt if it was ordered at the time of the deferral, or on the penalty if it was ordered during the period of educational testing.
As part of a statement, the MEJP is pronounced for a renewable period of 1 year.
After the educational testing (or, under certain conditions, when the single hearing before the TPE), the court in charge of the case may impose a penalty on the minor at the hearing on the imposition of the penalty.
The sanction may take the form of an educational measure: judicial warning or a judicial educational measure (JEM).
What is the judicial warning against a minor?
When the judge issues a judicial warning against a minor, he explains the offense what he committed, the seriousness of his behavior and the consequences if he starts again.
FYI
The judicial warning may be combined with a judicial educational measure when it includes only a repair module. If the minor has committed a 5th class offense, misdemeanor or crime., it may also be added to the sentence imposed on the minor.
What is the judicial educational measure against a minor?
The judicial educational measure consists of individualized support for the juvenile delinquent, based on his personal, family, health and social situation. It allows the protection of the minor, his assistance, his education, his inserting and access to care.
If the judge orders this measure, the minor may be subject to one or more of the following modules:
- Insert Module
- Repair Module
- Health module. This may include placement of the minor in a health facility (other than a psychiatric ward) or health care tailored to the minor's needs
- Placement Module.
The minor may also be subject to several obligations and prohibitions set by the judge (e.g. prohibition of contact with an accomplice or a victim, prohibition of use of the account of a online platform from which the offense has been committed).
The duration of the judicial educational measure shall be determined by the court and may not not to exceed 5 years. It ends at the latest at the age of 21.
Certain obligations and prohibitions to which the minor is subject may have a shorter duration (for example, the prohibition to use the account of an online platform is valid for 6 months).
Warning
The judicial educational measure can be accumulated the sentence imposed on a minor who has committed an offense 5th class offense, misdemeanor or crime.
After the educational testing (or, under certain conditions, when the single hearing before the TPE), the court in charge of the case may impose a penalty on the minor, in response to the offense he has committed.
The court shall choose the applicable penalty on the basis of the offense which has been committed and the personal situation of the minor. It can take the form of a sentence.
FYI
In a single hearing, the juvenile court may impose a sentence only whether the minor has has already been subject to a measure pronounced by a judge (example: judicial educational measure). This measure must have given rise to an educational report dating back less than 1 year.
The penalties to which the minor is liable depend on the seriousness of the acts committed and on the competent court:
- If the minor has committed a ticket of the first 4 classes, the penalty shall be imposed by the police court.
- If he committed a 5th contravention class or a offense of low severity, the penalty shall be imposed by the children's judge. For this, it is necessary that the public prosecutor has requested that a sentence be imposed on the minor.
- If the minor has committed a 5th contravention class, one serious or complex offense or a crime, it's the juvenile court who decides the sentence.
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Sentences handed down by the police court
The police court may impose a fine on the minor. The amount of the fine may not exceed €7,500.
The fine may be accompanied by additional penalties (example: prohibition of carrying a weapon, confiscation of the thing used to commit the offense).
Sentences handed down by the juvenile judge
The juvenile judge may impose one of the following penalties on the minor:
- Confiscation of the object used to commit the offense
- Sentence of internship (e.g., drug awareness). This sentence may not last more than 6 months. The daily duration of the internship must be less than 6 hours.
Sentences handed down by the juvenile court
A minor may be sentenced to one of the following penalties:
- Prison sentence with simple or probationary stay
- Penalty of
- Detention at home under electronic surveillance
- Fine
- Socio-judicial monitoring
- Sentence of internship (e.g., drug awareness)
- Penalty reparation.
In addition to these sentences, the jurisdiction for minors may pronounce a additional penalty (confiscation of the thing used to commit the offense, prohibition of keeping an animal, etc.).
Warning
The minor shall benefit from the minority excuse. Thus, the prison sentence imposed on him must be half or less the one that adults risk. Where the offense incurs perpetuation, the minor may only be sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment or less. The amount of the fine imposed on him must be less than half that incurred by adults, but not more than €7,500.
Between 16 and 18 years
Minors between the ages of 16 and 18 may be held responsible for the offense that he committed. He may therefore be subject to judicial measures and be sentenced to a penalty.
Please note
The judge must take measures and/or impose a sentence that ensure a fair balance between education and punishment.
Before being brought before a judge or a court that will determine his sanction, the minor may be subject to security measures.
Such measures restricting freedom shall be put in place to fulfill one of the following objectives:
- Avoid the commission of a new infringement
- Prevent the minor from coming into contact with accomplices or victims
- Enable the proper conduct of the investigation or the statement
- Protect the minor himself
- Ensure that the minor will be present at the time of his judgment.
These safety measures may be accompanied by provisional judicial educational measure (MEJP).
The MEJP consists of an individualized support of the juvenile delinquent. This measure enables the minor to be monitored by establishing an educational framework adapted to his or her personal situation.
If the judge pronounces this measure, the minor must perform one or more of the following modules:
- Insert Module
- Repair Module
- Health module. This may include placement of the minor in a health facility (other than a psychiatric ward) or health care tailored to the minor's needs
- Placement Module.
The minor may also be subject to several obligations and prohibitions set by the judge:
- Prohibition to appear in the place where the offense has been committed (for a maximum of 1 year)
- Prohibition of contact with an accomplice or a victim (for a maximum period of 1 year)
- Prohibition to come and go on public roads without being accompanied by one of its legal representatives, except for the exercise of a professional activity, for the follow-up of education or training or for serious medical or administrative reasons. This measure cannot last more than 6 months.
- Obligation to report to the services, associations or authorities designated by the children's judge, the juvenile court, the investigating judge or the judge of liberty and detention. This obligation is valid for a maximum of 6 months.
The MEJP may be pronounced at any stage of the procedure before the imposition of the penalty.
In general, this measure is exercised until the judgment of the minor or on the guilt if it was ordered at the time of the deferral, or on the penalty if it was ordered during the period of educational testing.
As part of a statement, the MEJP is pronounced for a renewable period of 1 year.
After the educational testing (or, under certain conditions, when the single hearing before the TPE), the court in charge of the case may impose a penalty on the minor, the hearing on the imposition of the penalty.
The sanction can take the form of an educational measure: a judicial warning or a judicial educational measure (Mej).
What is the judicial warning against a minor?
When the judge issues a judicial warning against a minor, he explains the offense what he committed, the seriousness of his behavior and the consequences if he starts again.
FYI
The judicial warning may be combined with a judicial educational measure when it includes only a repair module. If the minor has committed a 5th class offense, misdemeanor or crime., it may also be added to the sentence imposed on the minor.
What is the judicial educational measure against a minor?
The judicial educational measure consists of individualized support for the juvenile delinquent, based on his personal, family, health and social situation. It allows the protection of the minor, his assistance, his education, his inserting and access to care.
If the judge orders this measure, the minor may be subject to one or more of the following modules:
- Insert Module
- Repair Module
- Health module. This may include placement of the minor in a health facility (other than a psychiatric ward) or health care tailored to the minor's needs
- Placement Module.
The minor may also be subject to several obligations and prohibitions set by the judge (e.g. prohibition of contact with an accomplice or a victim, prohibition of use of the account of a online platform from which the offense has been committed).
The duration of the judicial educational measure shall be determined by the court and may not not to exceed 5 years. It ends at the latest at the age of 21.
Certain obligations and prohibitions to which the minor is subject may have a shorter duration (for example, the prohibition to use the account of an online platform is valid for 6 months).
Warning
The judicial educational measure can be accumulated the sentence imposed on a minor who has committed an offense 5th class offense, misdemeanor or crime.
After the educational testing (or, under certain conditions, when the single hearing before the TPE), the court in charge of the case may impose a sentence on the minor, in response to the offense that he committed.
The judge chooses the applicable sanction according to the offense committed and the personal situation of the minor. It can take the form of a sentence.
FYI
In a single hearing, the juvenile court may impose a sentence only whether the minor has has already been subject to a measure pronounced by a judge (example: judicial educational measure). This measure must have given rise to an educational report dating back less than 1 year.
The penalties to which the minor is liable depend on the seriousness of the acts committed and on the competent court:
- If the minor has committed a ticket of the first 4 classes, the sentence is decided by the police court.
- If he has committed a 5me class or one offense of low gravity, the sentence shall be pronounced by the children's judge.
- If the minor has committed a serious offense, it is the juvenile court who decides the sentence.
- Where the minor has committed a crime, the penalty shall be imposed by the court of assizes for minors.
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Sentences handed down by the police court
The police court may impose a fine on the minor.
It may also decide on additional penalties (e.g. prohibition of carrying a weapon, confiscation of the thing used to commit the offense).
Warning
In principle, the minor benefits from the minority excuse. Thus, the amount of the fine imposed on him must be less than half the fine incurred by adults, but not more than €7,500. However, the police court may decide not to apply the minority excuse. This decision must be justified by the circumstances of the case and the personality of the minor.
Sentences handed down by the juvenile judge
The juvenile judge may impose one of the following penalties on the minor:
- Confiscation of the object used to commit the offense
- A probationary period (e.g. training course on the dangers of drug use). This sentence may not last more than one month. The daily duration of the internship must be less than 6 hours.
- Community service (TIG) if the minor was over 13 years of age at the time of the commission of the offense. The TIG must be adapted to the minor and promote his insertion. It is not carried out at the expense of the convicted person.
Sentences handed down by the juvenile court
A minor may be sentenced to one of the following penalties:
- Prison sentence with simple or probationary stay
- Penalty of
- Detention at home under electronic surveillance
- Fine
- Socio-judicial monitoring
- Sentence of internship (e.g., drug awareness)
- Penalty reparation.
In addition to these sentences, the jurisdiction for minors may pronounce a additional penalty (confiscation of the thing used to commit the offense, prohibition of keeping an animal, etc.).
FYI
Where a minor is liable to a prison sentence or a fine, he or she may the minority excuse. Thus, the sentences to which he is sentenced are less severe than those provided for adults.
Where the minor benefits from the minority excuse, the prison sentence imposed on him must be half or less the one that adults risk. When the offense incurs the perpetuation, the minor may only be sentenced to a imprisonment of up to 20 years. The amount of the fine imposed on him must be less than half of the fine incurred by adults, but not more than €7,500.
Exceptionally, the juvenile court may decide not to apply the minority excuse. This decision must be justified by the circumstances of the case and the personality of the minor.
In this case, the minor is at risk the same penalties as adults. If the offense he has committed carries a life sentence, the sentence that may be imposed on him is not more than 30 years' imprisonment.
Sentences handed down by the juvenile court
A minor may be sentenced to one of the following penalties:
- Prison sentence with simple or probationary stay
- Penalty of
- Detention at home under electronic surveillance
- Fine
- Socio-judicial monitoring
- Sentence of internship (e.g., drug awareness)
- Penalty reparation.
In addition to these sentences, the jurisdiction for minors may pronounce a additional penalty (confiscation of the thing used to commit the offense, prohibition of keeping an animal, etc.).
FYI
Where a minor is liable to a prison sentence or a fine, the minority excuse. Thus, the sentences to which he is sentenced are less severe than those provided for adults.
Where the minor benefits from the minority excuse, the prison sentence imposed on him must be half or less the one that adults risk. When the offense incurs the perpetuation, the minor may only be sentenced to a imprisonment of up to 20 years. The amount of the fine imposed on him must be less than half of the fine incurred by adults, but not more than €7,500.
Exceptionally, the juvenile court may decide not to apply the minority excuse. This decision must be justified by the circumstances of the case and the personality of the minor.
In this case, the minor is at risk the same penalties as adults. If the offense he has committed carries a life sentence, the sentence that may be imposed on him is not more than 30 years' imprisonment.
Ability to discern
Interim judicial educational measure
Educational measures (judicial warning and judicial educational measure)
Penalties incurred and excuse of minority
Service-Public.fr
Ministry of Justice